Türkiye

Once the centre of the Ottoman empire, Türkiye has an immense rich history and culture spanning thousands of years. Given its unique geographic position, lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe, Türkiye has been subject to a striking range of cultural influences which have left a rich archaeological legacy, still visible in the landscape today, from the civilizations of Classical Europe and the Islamic Middle East. Türkiye is a melting pot of mixed cultures and religions, making for an exceptionally unique country.

From the caves and underground cities of Cappadocia, to the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Troy, Türkiye is like an open museum blossoming with archaeological parks, ancient ruins and museums that will transport you back in time. Here also lies Australian and New Zealand history on the battlefields of Gallipoli and Anzac Cove.

Full of bustling bazaars, warm and generous hospitality, intricate grand Mosques and majestic Ottoman palaces, incredible historical ruins and beautiful coastlines, Türkiye should definitely be on your list of countries to visit.

Smaller group size - up to 28

Cradles of Civilisation, featuring Gallipoli, Cappadocia and those Greek Isles

24 Fascinating Days

Start: Istanbul
Ends: Athens

Countries: Greece, Türkiye

Ancient Turkish Empires, iconic Greek Islands

Touring Türkiye by coach

There’s no doubt that your time in Türkiye will be something you will remember forever. To get the absolute most enjoyment out of your time in this stunning country, you can’t go past a coach tour with Albatross. Because our groups are smaller and we stay longer than most tour groups, you are able to really lose yourself in the sights, cities, and sensations of the country.

The best thing about coach travel is getting to enjoy the stress-free experience of having expert guides take care of navigating between stops.

Your Albatross guides will provide invaluable insight and guidance about the best places to see during free time as well, ensuring every moment of your tour is magical. Perhaps even greater than this are the chances you’ll have to bond with other fun people and make friends with your fellow travellers. It’s not unheard of for visitors who met while on tour together to form long-lasting relationships fuelled by their shared love of travel.

When to visit Türkiye

The best time to visit Türkiye is during the shoulder seasons, spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October when the weather is pleasant, crowds are smaller, and you can comfortably explore historical sites without the intense summer heat. However, if you want beach activities, summer (June to August) is ideal.

Turkish Culture

Rich and unique

Turkish food

Turkish hospitality

Helpful tips

Here are some important details that you should know before you go:

Language - Turkish is the official language spoken in Türkiye, though there are also a number of major minority languages spoken by millions in the country such as Kurdish, Arabic and Zazaki. But don't worry too much if you don't speak Turkish, as English is widely spoken in major tourist areas.
Money - Türkiye uses the Turkish Lira (TRY ₺) as its currency. Both cash and card are used equally and each have its advantages, and while debit and credit card are popular payments methods in the country, it is still recommended to carry cash, especially for local markets.
Time zone and daylight - Türkiye observes Eastern European Summer Time all year (GMT +03:00).
Electricity - You will need a standard European Type F or Type C plug in Türkiye.
Clothing - while in Türkiye you are free to dress a you normally would, though keep in mind you will need to dress more conservatively when visiting mosques. Women will need to cover their hair, shoulders, and knees, and to take off their shoes, and men will need to cover their knees and shoulders, as well as remove shoes.